New space, new jobs/ WIL Research expanding facility, work force

Darcie LorenoPublished: June 28, 2006 12:00AM

By DARCIE LORENO
T-G Staff Writer
Like the demand for its services, the need for room and new workers at WIL Research keeps on growing.
With the majority of a $32 million construction project set to be complete by September and the addition of about 100 new jobs since last year, James Rudar, director of marketing and finance, said stated simply that WIL Research has been doing pretty good.
Business is good, he said. Demand has been very good ... things look very, very good.
Last year, ground was broken at the George Road facility for the project, which includes construction, renovation and expansion of existing laboratories and the purchase of equipment to accommodate growth. As a result of the expansion, up to 150 new jobs were predicted, mostly technically-oriented positions requiring degrees.
The contract research facility performs preclinical research on new drugs to identify adverse effects on humans before drugs are submitted for FDA approval. It tests animal subjects.
As far as jobs, Rudar said on top of those already created we expect 80 to 85 more. WIL had about 380 employees in 2004.
Typically weve talked about 550 (all together), he said. Were at least ... close to 500 and now talking about another 80 plus.
Initial estimates set the cost of the expansion project at about $20 million to $28 million. Its increased a bit, Rudar said, partly due to inflation and growing parts of the project. In other cases, some areas of the facility originally were going to be used as storage, he said, and due to demand have been converted to working areas.
The company still plans to complete the three-phase project by Sept. 1, with ongoing construction and renovation through the beginning of 2007. When the project is complete, the main campus will have grown from about 250,000 square feet to 350,000 square feet.
The first phase dealt with the vivarium, Rudar said, or where animal studies are conducted, and the second with labs and centralization of support services. The third phase is one of the largest pieces, he said, with an additional 55,000 square feet. It also deals with the vivarium and new laboratories.
WIL Research recently received assistance for its project.
It was announced this week by Gov. Bob Taft the facility qualified for a $7 million Research and Development Investment loan. Interest on the 10-year loan would be 2 percent.
Additionally, a $50,000 research and development grant previously was approved for the purchase of machinery and equipment, which will cost about $11 million. Lastly, WIL Research was awarded, through the Ohio Investment and Training Program, up to $51,000 at a match of 50 cents on the dollar spent by WIL Research toward items such as training costs, instructor fees and materials.
Its been a very nice supportive package that the state has provided to us, Rudar said.
Melissa Ament, Ohio Department of Development spokesperson, said loan criteria includes a certain number of jobs created and retained within a company. The R & D fund is relatively new, she said, and is available for businesses involved in research and development with assistance for expansions and capital costs.
WIL Research President Dr. Joseph Holson was out of town Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.
n Darcie Loreno can be reached at 419-281-0581 ext. 237 or at dloreno@times-gazette.com.